• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

We Learn Welsh

  • Home
  • Words
  • Grammar
  • Reviews
  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • About Me
  • Contact Me

The Welsh Word for Welcome – Croeso!

June 21, 2019 By Heather Go to Comments

As you cross the border from England into Wales, you will be greeted by the expression “Welcome to Wales” or “Croeso i Gymru” on most signs. 

‘Croeso’ is the word for “welcome” in Welsh and – to the relief of many learners – it is used in very much the same way as in English. In addition to being a standard greeting as in the example of the sign, it can also be used in the sense of “you’re welcome” in response to “thank you.”

  • Diolch am ddod heddiw. – Croeso! = Thank you for coming today. – You’re welcome!

To say that someone is welcome (to a party, your house, etc.), you’d use the following construction:

  • Mae croeso i… / Mae ‘na groeso i… (literally “There is a welcome to…”)

For example:

  • Mae croeso / Mae ‘na groeso i bawb. = Everyone is welcome.

Similarly if you want to say that someone is “welcome to do something” (join in, take part, attend, etc.) you would use the following:

  • Mae croeso / Mae ‘na groeso i [someone] + soft mutated verb (literally “There is a welcome to [someone]…”)

For example:

  • Mae croeso / Mae ‘na groeso mawr i ti ddod heno. = You are very welcome to come tonight.
  • Mae croeso / Mae ‘na groeso i Sarah aros. = Sarah is welcome to stay.

Whether you use just ‘mae’ or ‘mae ‘na’ will depend on the formality of the situation and where you live in Wales. Generally speaking ‘mae ‘na’ is more colloquial and tends to be used in the north more than the south. You can also drop it altogether in speech:

  • (Mae) croeso i ti siarad efo fi! = (You are) welcome speak with me!

Also keep in mind that ‘mae’ can be substituted by other forms of “to be” depending on the tense:

  • Roedd croeso i bawb i’r gweithgareddau. = Everyone was welcome to the activities.
  • Dw i’n siŵr byddai croeso iddyn nhw ymuno. – I’m sure they would be welcome to join.

Another welcoming word in Welsh is the verb ‘croesawu‘ or “to welcome / make someone welcome.” Once again its usage isn’t so different to English as you can see from the examples below:

  • Dw i’n edrych ymlaen at groesawu pawb yn ôl. = I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone back.
  • Mae o’n croesawu’r penderfyniad. = He welcomes the decision.
  • Dyma newydd i’w groesawu. = This is welcome news. (Lit: This is news to be welcomed.)

You can also use the phrase ‘rhoi croeso‘ as an alternative to ‘croesawu‘.

To conclude, here are a few useful phrases featuring the word ‘welcome’ in Welsh. Mae croeso i chi eu defnyddio! (You are welcome to use them!)

  • extend a warm welcome = ymestyn croeso cynnes
  • welcome X with open arms = croesawu X gyda breichiau agored
  • overstay one’s welcome = aros yn hwy na’ch croeso
  • a lukewarm welcome = glasgroeso / croeso oeraidd

Filed Under: Words

Previous Post: « 10 Ways to Say “I’m fine, thanks!” in Welsh Besides “Iawn, diolch!”
Next Post: ‘Say Something in Welsh’ Bootcamp in Tresaith – Diary of my experience »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. James William Soares Jones

    July 1, 2019 at 2:59 pm

    This a wonderful discovery! Diolch for publishing and sharing.

    Reply
    • Heather

      July 1, 2019 at 6:22 pm

      Croeso! I hope you found it useful. 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • 10 Wonderfully Weird Welsh Words & Expressions
  • How to Say “Good Morning!” in Welsh – Bore da!
  • How to Say “Police” in Welsh – Heddlu
  • How to Say “Please” in Welsh – Os gwelwch yn dda
  • How to Say “Good luck!” in Welsh – Pob lwc!

Who am I? Pwy ydw i?

S'mae! My name is Heather and I've been learning Welsh in Mid Wales for approximately four years. I'm delighted you've decided to follow me on my language learning journey! Read More…

Join our friendly Facebook group for those learning the Welsh language! We share a new word of the day every day to help you improve your vocabulary. Wela i chi yno! 🙂

Join the Ymarfer Club in Tywyn! / Ymunwch â’r Clwb Ymarfer yn Nhywyn!

Copyright © 2019-2021 We Learn Welsh Heather Broster / Mathieu Gasquet

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT